RIDGID Tri-Stack 5 Gallon Air Compressor – Review

Air compressors have been a around for a long time and it is not often that a new innovative air compressor comes along to shake things up. The Tri-Stack is one of the most innovative compressors that I have ever seen. It supplies 2 regulated and one unregulated supply lines to the user, this means that you can have up to 3 tools running at once. The unit separates into two pieces for transport and you can also run the compressor in the other room and run off the surge tank which brings noise levels down. 4 gauges keep you up to date on both tank and regulated pressures. The gauges on the motor part of the unit are oil filled to reduce vibration, this ad

An oversize knob on the side is easily rotated to release the compressor from the 2 bottom tanks, you also need to unplug the bottom tank air supply. The unit is very heavy at 77 lbs and is not the quietest compressor by any means. It is designed to supply air for a crew doing say a roofing job or framing in multiple rooms. I know this unit would have been good to run our flooring nailer and trim nailer when we installed our wood floors. The compressor puts out a maximum of 150 PSI and 4.9 SCFM @ 90 PSI which is very good for a unit of its size. An oiless pump and induction motor mean that the Tri-Stack will provide years of relabel service, well at least 3 years because that is how long the warranty is lol.

Extra features like quality quarter turn valves and quick connects make the Tri-Stack appeal to the pros. The regulators lock and everything is oversized for complete control with gloves on. We used the Tri-Stack to run a framing nailer when we were building some shelving. The unit has a quick recovery time and overall it is a good performer. it weighs 77 grueling pounds, but you can split it to balance out the weight. Check out RIDGID.com for more info

Max, I have this in my small workshop and it works well for my air tools but I run mostly nailers off of it. No die grinders or sanders/polishers. The biggest usage tool I use in the Ridgid JobMax and that uses 18.2 CFM @90 PSI. I use it in short bursts though. The multiple regulators is awesome for nailers though. With the JobMax it takes a little less than 30 seconds to get under the 90 psi mark. The compressor cycles very fast though so it doesn’t take long to get back up to pressure.

If you’re planning on using this out in the field and you’re not running it off a generator then get ready to have fun searching for outlets with enough power supply! I’ve had this compressor for about a year now and it’s a power pig that absolutely won’t run on even a slightly weak power source.

I have two of these compressors, we use them on jobsites and both are not working. The outlet reed valves keep breaking! Every time i replace one, it lasts about a week then breaks again! If anyone know of a fix for this problem please let me know

Hi Dustin. I had the same problems! Found the fix though. This unit uses capacitor discharge drivers for easier start up… Mine however the caps were not connected properly, I bared the wires and put new crimp fittings But I was still blowing breakers at startup! So I checked the breaker on the drive capacitor and that was the main culprit. This thing works on any outlet runs awesome and I am very satisfied.

anyone know what kind of generator can power this. Going on a job in a few weeks that is notorious for their lack of power outlets and i have a 2000watt yamaha generator inverter that I’m thinking of taking. I should test it out but rather ask than mess something up.